Zidane shows Brazilians that he's still got all the magic - and no butts

Last updated at 16:08 18 March 2008

Zinedine Zidane's trip to South America this week went about as smoothly as the end of his career.

The former France international - last seen on a pitch butting Italy's Marco Materazzi on the way to his country's defeat in the 2006 World Cup Final - landed in Brazil for a PR and fund-raising offensive.

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Crowd-puller: Zidane cut short his trip to a shanty-town because of the pressure of the crowd

Dressed in a retro Brazil jacket and offering praise for the hosts' style of football, Zidane started well - even if only a handful of journalists and just one eight-year-old autograph-hunter greeted him at Sao Paulo airport.

It was a different story on his visit to a local shanty town. His plan to open a sports hall was cut short when, feeling a little worn down by the travelling, he left after just seven minutes when hordes of journalists and locals advanced. But he still had time to miss a penalty against a local politician.

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Class act: Zidane shows off his skills to the Brazilian crowd at an indoor match

Zidane was even more rusty come an indoor exhibition match a little later. He had already made a fan in 11-year-old Guilherme Gomes de Assis, who won a signed France shirt from the former world player of the year.

An excited Guilherme declared he would henceforth support France, taking a swipe at Brazil's ailing star Ronaldo. "Ronaldo is fat and no longer scores goals," said the boy. "I prefer Zidane."

Maybe he had a rethink after the 4,500 sell-out match. A slightly out-of-shape Zidane saw his side beaten 4-3, but resisted attacking any of the opposing Brazilian veterans.